Visa & ARC

Visa

For required documents and visa application procedures, please visit the website of your nearest Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) or ROC embassy (complete list available at https://www.roc-taiwan.org/).

  1. Two types of visas for exchange students, depending on exchange duration:
  • Single semester exchange students: Apply for a Visitor Visa (purpose of visit: academic exchange, not tourism)
  • Full year exchange students: Apply for a Resident Visa.
  1. Entry types:
  • Single Entry: only valid for a single entry to Taiwan. If you leave Taiwan during your stay, you will have to secure a new visa before returning.
  • Multiple Entry: valid for multiple visits during the validity of the visa.
  1. Enter Before (Valid Before): visa holder should enter Taiwan before the expiration date.

 

Alien Resident Certificate(ARC)

  1. Full year exchange students entering Taiwan on a Resident Visa must apply for an ARC within 30 days after arrival (late applications will incur a fine).
  2. ARC holders can exit and re-enter Taiwan multiple times as long as the ARC is valid.
  3. For detailed information regarding ARC application requirements and procedures, contact the National Immigration Agency service center.
  4. Online application: https://reurl.cc/qZENKE

 

Notice

1. ARC application processing takes around 10 working days (keep your application fee payment receipt to collect your ARC when ready).

2. ARC holders must report any change of residence to the National Immigration Agency service center within 30 days.

3. If you plan to extend your enrollment at NCCU, you must apply for an extension at least 3 months before your ARC expiration date.

4. Visa overstay

  • Students who are still enrolled at NCCU but overstay their visa up to and including 29 calendar days will be liable for a fine and must pay a fee to extend their ARC.
  • Students who are still enrolled at NCCU but overstay their visa by 30 days or more will be liable to pay a fine, and will be required to leave Taiwan within 7 days, to apply for a new visa before being re-admitted to Taiwan.
  • Overstay fine schedule:

1-10 days

NTD10,000

11-30 days

NTD20,000

31-60 days

NTD30,000

61-90 days

NTD40,000

Over 91 days

NTD50,000

 

5. If you plan to temporarily leave Taiwan during your enrollment period, prior to departure confirm that your ARC will still be valid upon your return to Taiwan. If necessary, renew your ARC.

6. Students who officially suspend their studies, withdraw from NCCU, or graduate from NCCU must return their ARC to the National Immigration Agency service center and leave Taiwan within the prescribed period. Such students will need to secure a new visa to re-enter Taiwan.

 

Exchange Student Visa Procedure

  1. Single semester exchange students: Apply for a  60- or 90-day Visitor Visa in your home country → Apply for a Visitor Visa extension (limit to two extensions per visa) at the Immigration Agency.
  2. Full year exchange students: Apply for Resident Visa in home country → apply for ARC online→ join National Health Insurance after 6 months if needed. 

Related Websites

  1. Bureau of Consular Affairs, MOFA (for Resident Visa application)
  2. National Immigration Agency (for visa extension & ARC application)